New RMI Report Offers Global Energy Leaders 10 Practical Actions to Accelerate Clean Energy Progress at COP31 

Drawing on 20 case studies across 15 countries, the report identifies proven solutions to lower electricity costs, strengthen reliability, and advance energy security.

Antalya, Türkiye — As world leaders gather for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), RMI today released Locking in Prosperity, a new report outlining 10 practical, evidence-backed actions countries can take to accelerate the clean energy transition while delivering affordable, reliable, and secure electricity.

With countries facing mounting pressure to translate climate commitments into tangible results, the report demonstrates how existing technologies and proven policies can help governments and utilities make meaningful progress in less than 12 months.

Drawing on 20 case studies across 15 countries and six continents, RMI highlights how nations are already deploying renewable energy, battery storage, grid modernization, and energy efficiency to reduce costs, strengthen energy security, and support economic development.

“Energy leaders around the world are showing that practical actions taken today can lower costs, improve reliability, and strengthen energy security, often in months rather than years. Those near-term wins can also make the bigger investments that follow smarter, faster, and less risky,” said Mark Dyson, Managing Director of the Electricity Program at RMI. “Perfect forecasts aren’t necessary to make progress, and uncertainty is not a reason to stand still.”

The report highlights the growing scale and speed of clean energy technologies already transforming electricity systems worldwide. Global solar installations reached 3 terawatts in 2025, with 660 gigawatts added that year alone, while installed battery storage capacity has grown elevenfold since 2021 to approximately 300 gigawatts. Advanced transmission technologies are also helping utilities increase capacity of existing power lines without building new infrastructure.

The report highlights several examples of successful implementation:

• Brazil: A distributed solar boom diversified electricity generation and now serves approximately 9 million consumer units.

• Great Britain: Electricity connection reforms reduced the project backlog by roughly 60%, allowing viable projects to move forward faster.

• Puerto Rico: A virtual power plant coordinating more than 110,000 distributed batteries helped maintain critical electricity reserves during 18 high-risk days.

• Colombia: Advanced transmission technologies unlocked more than 300 megawatts of additional capacity on existing power lines.

RMI’s recommendations fall into four categories:  

• Plan: Improve energy planning by accounting for uncertain electricity demand and fuel costs, while clearing stalled projects from grid connection queues to accelerate development.
• Modernize: Expand energy-efficient cooling and electric vehicles while encouraging large electricity users, including data centers, to reduce demand during periods of grid stress.  
• Balance: Strengthen reliability through energy storage and grid technologies; and
• Secure: Diversify energy supplies to reduce costs and exposure to volatile fuel markets.

As COP31 negotiations focus on advancing global climate action, Locking in Prosperity provides policymakers, regulators, and utilities with a practical roadmap for turning international ambitions into measurable improvements in electricity systems.

The report emphasizes that near-term action can build the foundation for longer-term investments, helping countries meet growing electricity demand while strengthening economic competitiveness and reducing emissions.

Read the full report: https://rmi.org/resources/locking-in-prosperity/

Media Contact:

Brian Willis – brian.willis@rmi.org

About RMI

RMI is an independent nonprofit founded in 1982 that transforms global energy systems through market-driven solutions to align with a 1.5°C future and secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. We work in the world’s most critical geographies and engage businesses, policymakers, communities, and NGOs to identify and scale energy system interventions that will cut greenhouse gas emissions at least 50 percent by 2030. RMI has offices in Basalt and Boulder, Colorado; New York City; Oakland, California; Washington, D.C.; and Beijing.